PLACES AND CLIMATE: 
 Developing around the volcano which named it, with 2.351 meters high, the highest point of Portugal, the island of Pico has an oblong shape - 42 km long and 15,2 km wide – and the surface totals 447 km2. A flat hill with secondary volcanic cones ends by the sea in high scarps while the lowest area, to the west, has moderate descents.
It is situated at 28º 20' longitude west and 38º 30' latitude north.
The climate is mild, with a moderate humidity average. Medium temperatures vary between 14º C (57º F) in the winter and 22º C (72º F) in the summer.
BRIEF ISLAND STORIES:
40 years went by between the time the islands were discovered and the time Pico was colonized, around 1460, where Lajes village is. The first years were hard for the people, who came from Northern Portural, because they had to deforest the abundant woods, cultivate the volcanic land and build houses.
The culture of wheat and pastel (plant used as dye), were the economic support of the island during its first century of life. Early on, vineyard took over the other cultures, attracting new money from Faial, to finance the work on the lava fields, the wine production (“verdelho” wine), appreciated by the sailors who stocked at Faial to sell their products in Europe and the Americas .
Volcanic eruptions marked the life on the island during the XVIII century, time when the American and English ships started sailing the waters around the island, looking to catch whales. The XIX century is the end of the “verdelho” cycle, with the vineyards devastated by odium and phylloxera, which leads to the emigration of a lot of people to Brazil and North America . It is during this time while looking for new sources of income, that whale hunting begins, departing from the island ports.
Pico is, in our days, an island that has gone though an economic outbreak, with the installation of new ports and the airport, the agricultural activity – where wine regains its importance – cattle herding, cheese production, fishing and also tourism have increased.
PLACES TO VISIT:
The majestic volcano which dominates the island is so pronounced that the island is almost reduced to it. Because of this, the island is many times referred to as the Mountain Island .
Pico is 2351 m high, the highest mountain of Portugal . It culminates at the Pico Grande crater, where Pico Pequeno or Piquinho is and has at the bottom sulphur pitts. It is covered with trees up to 1500 m high. After this height, the vegetation changes to bushes, leaving the lava cone bare.
Even though the mountain was already a protected area, this was reinforced with the creation of the Pico Natural Reserve. This constitutes an important measure for the preservation of Nature and the sights and landscape of one of the most charecteristical areas of the entire Archipelago. The climb to the top of Pico, although strenuous, it is rewarded with the magnificent sights over Pico and the rest of the islands in the Central group.
Lajes , this whaler village is the center of the century old tradition of whale hunting. A visit to the one of a kind in Portugal , Museu dos Baleeiros ( Whale hunters Museum ) is mandatory
“Whale Watching” , whale hunting is forbidden so the old tradition has been reconverted to simply watching those magnificent animals. A series of small local boats allow taking trips, where you can be almost face to face with the biggest animal in the world.
Criação Velha is the authentic “Solar do vinho verdelho”, situated at Lajido, where the grapes ripe in lava blankets.
Across from the village of Madalena there are some funny islets named Deitado (lying down) and Em Pé (standing up) , which are traces of an ancient volcanic eruption. Here nest enumerous birds.
On the west side, which extends to the sea in a less pronounced way, there are a few different size and different shapes, like Capitão, Caiado e Paul.
The island coast is shaped in points, bays and arches. On the north coast there is an impressive set of arches - Arcos do Cachorro – where the sea enters the tunnels and entrances, in a curious formation similar to a dog's nose. Hence the name Arcos do Cachorro (Puppy arches).
As a result of ancient volcanic eruptions, Mistério da Prainha , between S. Roque and Prainha, Mistério Sta. Luzia , between Santa Luzia and Bandeiras, and Mistério de S. João , originated by a volcano that formed in the ocean and attached itself to the island. These are all places of great interest.
The cooling of the lava and the leakage of volcanic gases originated the opening of caves, covered with volcanic stalactites and stalagmites, or long corridors that go deep into the earth. To walk through them, with the proper equipment and accompanied by a qualified guide, is a thrilling experience. Furna de Frei Matias , at the west side of Pico, not far from Vila da Madalena, is one of the islands' most famous sulphur pits. The sulphur pits of Silveira and Montanheiros are also worthy of a visit.
Terra Alta belvedere, at 415 m high, between Santo Amaro and Piedade, offers an impressive panorama and perspective of the south coast of the island of São Jorge.
MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES:
- Museu dos Baleeiros ( Whale men Museum )
- Museu do Vinho (Wine Museum)
- Museu do Whisky ( Whisky Museum )
FESTIVALS:
- Festas do Cais do Pico – end of July
- Festas dos Baleeiros at Lajes – last week of August
- Festa das Vindimas at Madalena – in September
SPORTS AND LEASURE:
- In Pico there aren't any sandy beaches but, if you like swimming there are over a dozen natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rocks. The sea water temperature, warmed by the Golf current, is always a pleasant surprise
- Whale and dolphin watching – the Azores are one of the favourite places in the world for those who like whale watching. The observation boats depart from Lajes.
- Scuba d iving – the blue crystal waters, the rocky underwater formations, and the rich ocean fauna and flora are inviting for observation.
- Fishing – the coast and easy access bays and the abundance of species allow for a great fishing experience.
- Snorkeling
- Fishing sites – all of the island of Pico is a great fishing site. The only trouble fishing lovers will have is choosing where they would like to spend some pleasant hours capturing big fish.
- Water sports : windsurf, canoeing, sailing, jet ski, water ski.
- Boat rides – a different way to enjoy the majestic beauty of Pico, the charms of Faial and São Jorge (please contact the Clube Naval of Madalena)
- Hunting - Pico still constitutes, one of the richest hunting regions of the Archipelago, where hunters can practice their aim on the abundant rabbits, quail and snipe.
- Mountain climbing , depending on the chosen route, the level of dificulty can be greater on your climb to Pico Mountain, rewarded with the breathtaking view. We recommend a guide.
- Speleology – speleology lovers can find caves and sulphur pits worthy of a visit, always accompanied by a guide.
- Nature Trails
- Hiking – the black mysteries, the corn fields, the green pastures, the sweet perfume of the orchards and the peoples's life styles are very appeling to hikers.
ARTS AND CRAFTS:
- Whale bone work
- Ivory work
- Wooden miniatures
- Crochet
- Fish scale work
GASTRONOMY:
Typical Dishes – Fish broths, stewed octopus, mussel rice, grilled squid, meat sausage, pork, blood sausage, “caçoila” are some of the typical dishes this island will present you with. All these dishes can be accompanied with homemade corn bread.
Seafood – Seafood lovers can have “cavaco”, lobster and deep sea crab.
Pastry – The Island 's typical pastry is known for the sweets typical of the Holly Ghost Festivities: “Rosquilhas”, sweet rice, sweet bread and “Bolo de Vésperas”. There are also “filhoses”, “coscorões” and “sonhos”.
Cheeses – The Pico cheese, of a white soft mass, and the São Jorge cheese, of a soft mass with a strong smell and yellow shell also make the delicacies of food lovers.
Wines – Verdelho as an appetizer, white or red wine or the typical “vinho de cheiro” to accompany your meal are certainly a pleasant experience for wine lovers. We also recommend the traditional Pico “Aguardente” and “Angelica”. Vineyards are again a major part of this island and as proof of that, there is the fact that it was classified as “verdelho” wine region. Due to the fact that Portugal is now part of the European Community, the vineyard was reconverted this resulting in the production of new products.
RESTAURANTS:
Restaurante Pico Hotel - Madalena
Restaurante Luis, Marisqueira e Pizzaria – specialties: seafood, mussels, “cracas”, fresh fish, Pico gastronomy - Madalena
Restaurante O Ancoradouro, Marisqueira – specialties: fish “cataplana”, grilled fish -Madalena
Restaurante Bar Beira Mar - specialties: grilled food on the Rock, typical regional dishes, fresh seafood - Madalena
Restaurante A Parisiana – Madalena
BARS, DISCOTEQUES:
Bar Porto Velho - Clube Naval da Madalena
Pub Lagoa - Lajes do Pico |
Versão Portuguesa
